Understanding Costs (more info here)
Q. What is the recommended donation and what will it cover ?
A. $500 is the recommended donation. Your money will support a security patrol and the flock subscription service. Duration of service will be determined by the total contributions received from the community.
Q. What if Safer GANC raises more or less money than expected ?
A. If Safer GANC raises more than the expected funds, then the security measures will be funded for a longer time. If Safer GANC does not collect enough funds for a full year, then there will be another round of fundraising sooner than the one-year mark.
Q. Won't those that don't contribute get a free ride?
A. No, because only contributors get all the services of private security and Fock security cameras. For example, getting a direct phone number to contact private security if you need assistance. For more information on patrol services, please see here. Also, contributors can avail the Flock camera service and request footage while non-contributors’ requests will be granted at the discretion of the camera coordinator. Details available here.
Q. What if I need assistance contributing?
A. Contribute what you can. If you can contribute more, please do. If you have additional questions about contributing, reach out to the board at safergancboard@googlegroups.com.
Q: Is my contribution tax deductible?
A. No, Safer GANC is a 501(c)(4) and is not a qualified charitable organization.
How to contribute
Q. How can I contribute?
A: Details available here.
Q: How will I know that Safer GANC received my contribution?
A: Safer GANC will send you an email confirming that your contribution was received. If you do not receive an email, please reach out to safergancboard@googlegroups.com with your name, address, contribution amount, method and date.
Q: The first fundraising period used the GoFundMe site. Why isn’t that platform still being used?
A: When using GoFundMe there is a service fee which is deducted from your contribution. There isn’t a service fee associated with donating via Zelle® or check so your full contribution can be used to fund the security measures.
Security Patrol (more info here)
Q. Does private security patrol actually work?
A. Research has shown, and adjacent neighborhoods have shared their experience, that security patrol has been an effective deterrent to crime. Over the last year, we believe the number of security incidents in our neighborhood has also decreased.
Q. Why not armed security?
A. We looked into armed patrol and decided on unarmed in order to avoid potential liability issues and because of possible safety detriment from armed altercation between an armed patrol and armed suspects.
Q. How many hours per day and when?
A. 6 Hrs a Day, 7 Days a Week.
Q. Why not extend the hours per day?
A. Simply, its cost.
Flock Security Cameras (more info here)
Q. How do License plate reading cameras work?
A. Flock cameras identify the license plate, make, model, and color, and automatically check an online database, and then report to local police any vehicles that are stolen and/or identified with criminal activity. They provide 24x7 monitoring. Flock's web site is here.
Q. Will the information be reported to the police?
A. Police departments have access to the Flock footage.
Q. Where are the cameras placed?
A. (1) on Pinewood very close to Broadway Terrace, (2) at the intersection of Mountain and Avoca, and (3) at the intersection of Ruthland and Swainland.